UserNotFound

Account Executive

Notorious Answer

Valued Contributor

Employment Law: Are they trying to get me to quit instead of firing me?

Yeah, so if you've seen my posts about my deals being taken- this next question is likely no surprise... I'm beginning to wonder if I'm being "forced out"? I found out about MORE secret meetings with prospects who are supposed to be mine. Proposal this week & this prospect's specific presentation deck is permissions based and apparently I don't have rights. Now, I was just alerted by a change in SOP by a vendor, not even my own leadership, and this change has caused a huge delay in gathering pricing for my opps.

Knowing I have unorganized and, honestly, selfish leadership I can definitely see this being a 'I want the glory' situation for the deals, and they forget to tell me stuff all the time. However, looking at this less as puzzle pieces and more as a whole-ass assembled puzzle it's hard not to question if they're trying to get me to quit.

I'm a self employed contractor, so I can't imagine what benefit there would be to the company if I quit instead of getting fired? I don't know much about US Employment Law- so would love to hear from sales managers that do!

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34 comments

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Incognito

WR Officer

8

Master of Disaster

Ok. You need a lawyer, like yesterday.

Employment law varies from state to state, but you do have rights - independent contractor or not.

Also, why would they want you to quit if you’re obviously making them money? If you go, their income stream dies (according to your posts). It makes me believe one of these two things are true:

1. Your company fucking sucks and is a toxic hell hole. GTFO.

2. The details of your situation are very much skewed from your personal perception/ emotions.

I’m not accusing you of being dramatic, I’m just saying that maybe you should take a step back and really read through all your agreements and disengage emotionally (hard as fuck to do - I know) for a more logical analysis. It very well may be that you need to get away from this shitty situation and you are a treasure to any firm lucky to have you, but separating your emotions from facts will help you see a clear path to success regardless.

Hang in there, we’ve all been in both places 🖤

UserNotFound

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I think it's likely a mix of 1 & 2. I'm trying to step back and look at it without emotion, something I'm usually known for being able to do. In this instance, I think my emotions are high because a year into working here I still don't know how to 'win'. There are no quotas, just 'you're doing great' until someone gets drunk and says 'you're not doing good enough, what happened to the person I thought I hired?' There's no training, there's no structure for any sort of communication. No 1:1s. No dedicated time to helping me grow. I've even gotten accounts stolen.

However, I've tried to keep bringing these things up in an amicable way because I know it has to be hard to hire your first sales person- and for it to be someone so green in the industry has to be even worse. I've given a TON of grace. I've eaten many-a shit sandwiches.

But it's driving me nuts that two specific deals, one is a years worth of what I "should be able to sell" (again, no quota) and the other is close to 4 years worth of what I "should be able to sell" are both taken from me and worked in a complete silo. People who aren't in sales know more about this deal than I do.

Presentation of 4x was this afternoon, and I have no clue how it went- but other people in my org do. I haven't been able to ask because right now I am too emotional and just need some time to calm down in order to have a professional conversation.

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

@Incognito all of which is obviously the catalyst for me losing my mind on the other post... hahaha

Incognito

WR Officer

2

Master of Disaster

Yep. Go rip some bong hits (or yoga or whatever is your jam).

Super frustrating to not have any guidance, but look at your bank account. Does it make you smile? Yes? Whenever you want to throat punch these noobs then just keep your bank app handy. Glance down at that figure and remember that everything has a price. I know mine.

CaneWolf

Politicker

2

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Why can't she do bong hits and then yoga?

Incognito

WR Officer

3

Master of Disaster

Well that would be optimal, but maybe there’s like one person in here who doesn’t indulge. No judgement!

CaneWolf

Politicker

2

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Cut to me visiting Montreal with a beer and a bowl in a yoga class when the border reopens. And then going to house some poutine.

Incognito

WR Officer

2

Master of Disaster

Take me with you!!!!

AlexT

Politicker

1

Account Executive

@AnonymousSource I just closed enough biz to take the startup I am working out from Seed to Series A. I just did 973% of my yearly quota and brought a 1M deal.

They are thanking me, just like you. They are pretending they did all the work. I am pushed out of meetings and discussions. My commissions are either cut or unpaid (it was supposed to be 10%).

It's all politics, people trying to get the glory and compensation because they don't have the balls nor skills to go hunt themselves.

I would say get out, cut your losses and find a place that values you.

I'm getting out myself any day now.

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Congrats on that win and good luck with the hunt for a new place to land!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

This blows my mind. I have zero legal knowledge. But have you written with included screenshots of you needing access to your presentations?

UserNotFound

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Oh- I need to edit this to clarify... I don't have permissions to access the specific presentation of the prospect that my boss is having a secret meeting with. It was sent to me by a co-worker who helped prepare it but when I tried to access I didn't have rights. So, could be because I didn't help prepare it- could be because they're locking me out of it.

Who the fuck knows. But I think I'm going to have to have a very uncomfortable conversation and really quickly... luckily I have other places recruiting me and I can get another job in a hot minute- it just probably won't pay as well.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

None of it makes any sense. Make sure all of your facts are documented and in order so you can refer to them quickly during your conversation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious wtf this ratchet company is. I'm sorry you're going through it.

UserNotFound

Politicker

2

Account Executive

Omg you made me laugh out loud and I needed it. It's a small, SMALL company. I'm the 1st sales person they ever hired, but they are all about taking care of people and doing things the right way. Pay me absolutely ridiculous money, and had been super supportive until one of the owners got drunk at our Christmas party and berated me for a lengthy time. Got over that hump, then it happened again recently.

Both times have been because he thinks I'm 'jealous' when I see the two owners get big wins. Well, genius... of-fucking-course I am. I want to be in that top spot, and I'm not. But I *could* be if you'd LET ME WORK MY FUCKING DEALS. Does that make me any less happy for my company? Hell no! It's easier to sell for a company with big wins under their belt. I'm not a fucking idiot.

Annnnnyway... it seems like I should probably just go ahead and start drinking now. I'm not going to get any work done from here on because I'm feeling so FML.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

That's when you correct him and say you're not jealous, you're done with having your work stolen and not getting credit for the hard work you've put into the winning deals. Here are exhibits A-Z.

UserNotFound

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Take the emotion out, leave only room for facts. I need to get my head straight so I can do this.

Thank you so much- I needed that 'slap'.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

I can be good for something on the rare occasion 😆

youKNOW

Politicker

3

Sales Manager

Just want to make sure I understand. They berated you for, what they thought, was you being jealous? Has something like what you're describing already happened in the past that would give them that impression? Something you possibly said to someone there that made it back to them? I'm w/ Fox on this, document everything and I'm sorry you're going through it.

UserNotFound

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I mean, yeah... that I want it to be me pulling in those whales! Lol. Honestly though no, I am all about the company getting good wins- it helps me be better!

But yes, I'm going to do a good job of documenting it if only to present my case to them to say "look, we have to find a better way because this doesn't work for me"

Incognito

WR Officer

2

Master of Disaster

*It’s spelled Jedi Master @CuriousFox , young padawan @MrsTechSales

SADNES5

Politicker

2

down voters are marketing spies

Constructive Dismissal. Look it up. If they're changing your work to force you out the door. Enjoy severance and punitive damages.

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

🙌

CaneWolf

Politicker

2

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Just to be clear again, they are paying you regardless, right? This is fucking weird.

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

@CaneWolfupdate to this thread: the shoe finally dropped and I found out that they, in fact, will only be paying me 1/2 of what I would have made on these deals. One of these deals is close to closing now (should sign next month) and I saw the DM out at an event a few weeks ago and I took the heat for not being involved. He said "hey, when I agreed to entertain doing business with your company I thought I was going to be doing business with YOU." Even went on to say he doesn't really like or trust my boss... I relayed that info back and said I think we have a better shot if I and another leader in the company are more involved and was told "That is a genuinely stupid idea". So you could say things are going exactly as predicted... lol.

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

FUCK that place.

UserNotFound

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Yep- well, supposedly. Which is why I’m conflicted!

UserNotFound

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Also- I think it’s weird as shit too, which is why I can’t figure out what the fuck the boss’ (owner) motivations are?! If they aren’t trying to get me to quit, why not let me be a part of it. If they ARE trying to get me to quit- why would you force someone out who is bringing in the largest accounts the company has ever seen?! It doesn’t make sense.

CaneWolf

Politicker

0

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Yeah, that through line has been making me confused the entire time.

cw95

Politicker

1

Sales Development Lead

I'm unsure about the USA but in the UK anyway, there has to be 3 warnings or a reason to why. If the reason isn't plausible then it's all okay for you...if it escalates there are companies out there that will help you out for free in terms of employment law and then charge your company (if you win).

UserNotFound

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Thanks! I bet the UK is much more employee-friendly than the US... we're all about that capitalism, for better or worse!

cw95

Politicker

0

Sales Development Lead

So much more, you need to have at least 3 proper warnings before getting fired. If you are 'Asked to leave' they generally to save their own backs give you gardening leave which can vary from one month pay to 3 month pay.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

1

MDR

The details of your situation are very much skewed from your personal perception/ emotions.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

1

ISR

I think it's likely a mix of 1 & 2. I'm trying to step back and look at it without emotion, something I'm usually known for being able to do. In this instance, I think my emotions are high because a year into working here I still don't know how to 'win'.

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

0

ISR

This blows my mind. I have zero legal knowledge. But have you written with included screenshots of you needing access to your presentations?

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